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Successful project to improve surgery for Hartlepool patients

A PROJECT team have helped successfully bring about changes to improve care for patients having surgery at a hospital.

The team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust were set a 100-day challenge to transform speciality surgery at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

The team gave frontline staff the skills and knowledge to innovate rapidly, test new ideas and gather learning as they progressed.

Christina Joseph, senior project manager, said: “The aim of the challenge was to create a project where teams in orthopaedics, speciality surgery, anaesthetics and theatres could join together as a multidisciplinary team to focus on improving better utilisation of speciality surgery at Hartlepool.

“The aims of the project were to reduce waste, reduce the number of cancelled operations and to increase the amount of elective procedures carried out.

“The ultimate aim of these changes is to improve patient care.”

The challenge was led by trust activity manager Jackie Knott with the support and guidance of Christina Joseph.

Jackie said: “The success of the project has been a result of a fully engaged team including senior clinicians and support services. Those involved have worked together to provide a better patient experience, as well as transfer some procedures which have traditionally been carried out at the North Tees site, therefore increasing the number of elective procedures at Hartlepool.

“The project has raised the profile of Hartlepool, as well as preventing cancellations of surgery on the day due to bed pressures.